Colistin resistance in multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains at a perinatal maternal institute in Lima, Peru, 2015-2018

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of colistin- and carbapenemic-resistant genes in multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated at the Instituto Materno Perinatal de Lima (2015-2018). Susceptibility levels were analyzed by disk diffusion and microdilution. The presence of colistin- and carbapenemic-resistant genes was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and was related to clonality. A total of 36 K. pneumoniae strains were analyzed, 5 (13.8%) were resistant to colistin and belonged to different clonal groups. Only 2 strains were found with carbapenemases (blaKPC and blaNDM), and no colistin plasmid genes were detected. High resistance levels to the other tested antimicrobials were observed, except for amikacin (13.9%). The results highlight the presence of colistinresistant strains (33.3% in 2018), a worrying situation as they are part of the latest treatment alternatives for infections caused by multiresistant pathogens.